Joey Knight, a beloved Tampa Bay sportswriter and an quiet icon in Zephyrhills whose compassionate storytelling illuminated the lives of athletes and everyday people across the region for more than three decades, passed away today, at the age of 57.
A longtime resident of Zephyrhills, Joey battled cancer with remarkable courage and grace over the past two years, continuing to report and write until very recently, never letting illness dim his passion for the craft or his kindness toward others.
Born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, Joey was a proud fourth-generation Floridian. His family roots ran deep in Zephyrhills, where his father, Alan Knight, served as football coach and later principal at Zephyrhills High School in the 1970s and a city councilman.
Growing up in this close-knit community, Joey developed an early love for sports and creative writing—passions that would define his life and career. A self-described “old-schooler” with an affection for ’80s hard rock, he blended sharp journalistic insight with a genuine warmth that made him a trusted voice in Tampa Bay sports.
Joey began his career at the Tampa Tribune, where he covered a wide array of teams and stories, from high school heroes to college programs like the University of South Florida Bulls and Florida Gators, to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After the Tribune’s closure in 2016, he seamlessly transitioned to the Tampa Bay Times, where he became an enterprise reporter known for uncovering the hidden narratives behind the scores—the personal struggles, triumphs, and humanity of those he covered. Colleagues and readers alike admired his encyclopedic knowledge of local sports and his ability to tell stories with empathy and depth.
Beyond his byline, Joey was a devoted father to two daughters and a son, who were the center of his world. He was a man of deep faith, a supportive friend, and a gentleman whose quiet decency left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him. Even as he faced his own health challenges, he remained a regular presence at press conferences and games, offering encouragement and insight to players, coaches, and fellow journalists.
Joey Knight’s legacy is one of compassion, dedication, and the rare ability to make readers feel connected to the people and places he wrote about. In a profession often defined by deadlines and highlights, he reminded us that sports are, at their core, about human stories. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and the Tampa Bay community he served so well.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Hodges Funeral Home. Rest in peace, Joey—a good soul whose words and heart touched so many